FDOT: New tolled express lanes on East Beltway expected to open this Saturday

Jacksonville FL — On Monday, the Florida Department of Transportation announced the new tolled express lanes on the East Beltway from State Road 9-B to JTB are expected to open this Saturday.

We’re told when the express lanes open, the southbound lanes will be in a limited configuration and what that means is, if you want to use the lanes, you’ll only be able to exit onto Southbound SR 9B. FDOT says the connection to the East Beltway south will open once additional construction is complete.

If you’re driving north from 9B, you’ll be able to access all the benefits of the express lanes. On the East Beltway northbound, you’ll be able to enter the new lanes either on SR 9B or on the East Beltway and you’ll be able to access either JTB or keep going north on I-295.

Hampton Ray with FDOT says the new lanes are expected to open around 6 AM Saturday morning.

“It’ll be 50 cents, ya know, for the, for the foreseeable future”. Ray says.

If you want to use the lanes, Ray says you’ll need to have a Sunpass or an equivalent transponder in your vehicle. If not then you’ll risk a $25 fine.

“We know Florida drivers need safe and reliable transportation options,” said FDOT District Two Secretary Greg Evans. “With the addition of the Managed Lanes, motorists will have additional choices, see decreased congestion and improved safety along the corridor.”

FDOT says the express lanes will operate in “time of day” tolling which means you’ll only be charged during peak travel times which will be from 6 AM – 10 AM and 3 PM -7 PM Monday through Friday.

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